mercy

¹

[ mur-see ]

noun

, plural mer·cies

1. compassionate or kindly forbearance shown toward an offender, an enemy, or other person in one's power; compassion, pity, or benevolence:

   Have mercy on the poor sinner.

   Synonyms: tenderness, mildness, lenity, leniency, clemency, indulgence, forgiveness

   Antonyms: cruelty

2. the disposition to be compassionate or forbearing:

   an adversary wholly without mercy.

3. the discretionary power of a judge to pardon someone or to mitigate punishment, especially to send to prison rather than invoke the death penalty.
4. an act of kindness, compassion, or favor:

   She has performed countless small mercies for her friends and neighbors.

5. something that gives evidence of divine favor; blessing:

   It was just a mercy we had our seat belts on when it happened.

Mercy

²

[ mur-see ]

noun

1. a female given name.

mercy

/ ˈmɜːsɪ /

noun

1. compassionate treatment of or attitude towards an offender, adversary, etc, who is in one's power or care; clemency; pity
2. the power to show mercy

   to throw oneself on someone's mercy

3. a relieving or welcome occurrence or state of affairs

   his death was a mercy after weeks of pain

4. at the mercy of
   in the power of

Word History and Origins

Origin of mercy¹

First recorded in 1125–75; Middle English merci, from Old French, earlier mercit, from Latin mercēd-, stem of mercēs “wages” ( Late Latin, Medieval Latin: “heavenly reward”), derivative of merc-, stem of merx “commodity, goods, merchandise”

Word History and Origins

Origin of mercy¹

C12: from Old French, from Latin mercēs wages, recompense, price, from merx goods

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. at the mercy of, entirely in the power of; subject to: Also at one's mercy.

   They were at the mercy of their captors.

More idioms and phrases containing mercy

see at the mercy of .

Example Sentences

Without a direct avenue to customers, Apple has been at the mercy of third-party sellers.

From Fortune

When Mulan finally meets her, the witch says, “When they find out who you are, they will show you no mercy.”

From Science News For Students

However, since their existing upfront deals did not provide pandemic-related escape clauses and the advertisers were at the mercy of the networks to excuse them.

From Digiday

The city was at the mercy of its own bureaucracy and individual family members who made up the trust had different views of what they should do with the property.

From Voice of San Diego

So we will never again be at the mercy of China and other foreign countries in order to protect our own people.

From Washington Blade

But give the Kingdom credit for its sense of mercy: The lashes will be administered only 50 at a time.

From The Daily Beast

But it never has been the site of equal mercy, and it never will be.

From The Daily Beast

If mercy is not preached by a national figure we take seriously, our battles over policy power will grow ever more merciless.

From The Daily Beast

Policy is about wielding power, while mercy is about transcending power by renouncing it.

From The Daily Beast

Canned drinks like Mercy contain up 5,000 percent of the daily value of certain vitamins.

From The Daily Beast

Brethren are a help in the time of trouble, but mercy shall deliver more than they.

From Project Gutenberg

Have mercy on thy people, upon whom thy name is invoked: and upon Israel, whom thou hast raised up to be thy firstborn.

From Project Gutenberg

If she have a tongue that can cure, and likewise mitigate and shew mercy: her husband is not like other men.

From Project Gutenberg

Henceforth he must remember Winifred only when his sword was at the throat of some wretched mutineer appealing for mercy.

From Project Gutenberg

And thou hast delivered me, according to the multitude of the mercy of thy name, from them that did roar, prepared to devour.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• benevolence
• blessing
• charity
• clemency
• forgiveness
• generosity
• goodwill
• grace
• leniency
• pity
• sympathy
• tolerance